Fresh Wipe Hammock

ABSTRACT

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a device for suspending toiletry products such as a box of fresh wipes, an extra roll of toilet paper, etc, from an existing toilet paper roll holder. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fresh wipe hammock device is comprised of cloth and requires minimal assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/677,322 filed on Jul. 30, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a container for holding toiletry products,such as a box of fresh wipes, wherein said container may be suspendedfrom an existing toilet paper roll holder.

BACKGROUND

Many bathrooms are cluttered with a variety of products, and space isoftentimes limited. Therefore, it is not always possible to storetoiletry items, such as moist wipes, an extra roll of toilet paper,etc., in a convenient and accessible location. More specifically,individuals using a toilet may not be able to readily access suchtoiletry items without leaving the toilet area, which could be bothcumbersome and frustrating.

Consequently, there exists in the art a long-felt need for a containercapable of being removably suspended from an existing toilet paper rollholder and supporting toiletry products, such as a box of fresh wipes,an extra roll of toilet paper, etc. There also exists in the art a longfelt need for a container that accomplishes all of the forgoingobjectives and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safeand easy to install and use.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof,is a container capable of (a) being removably suspended from an existingtoilet paper roll holder without interfering with the operation of thesame, and (b) supporting toiletry products, such as a box of freshwipes, an extra roll of toilet paper, etc. In a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the container comprises a pair of spaced apartside panels, a front panel, a back or rear panel, and a bottom, whereineach of said pair of spaced apart panels further comprise a first endwith an opening therein for receipt of a toilet paper roll spindle, asecond end and an elastic band.

The unique design of the fresh wipe hammock container of the presentinvention is useful for conveniently storing toiletry products, such asfresh wipes, an extra roll of toilet paper, etc, in close proximity to atoilet and without the need for installation tools. The fresh wipehammock is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy touse.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intendedto include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention installed on an existing toilet paper roll holderspindle.

FIG. 3. illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention installed on an existing toilet paper roll holderspindle and supporting a box of fresh wipes.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention installed on an existing toilet paper roll holderspindle and supporting a spare roll of toilet paper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of the fresh wipe hammock container 100 of the present invention.Container 100 is preferably comprised of a pair of side panels 110, afront panel 130, a back panel 150, a bottom 170 and more than one band190. Unless otherwise stated herein, each of the components of container100 is preferably comprised of a cloth material such as cotton,polyester, or the like or a blend of such materials, and may come in avariety of colors, prints, designs to suit user preference and/or matchexisting bathroom decor. Notwithstanding, it is contemplated that otherdurable materials such as plastic, metal, wood and the like could alsobe used.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, each of side panels 110 are generallyrectangular in shape and are in generally parallel spaced apartrelationship to one another. Each of side panels 110 are preferablycomprised of a first end 112, a second end 115, an inboard surface 116and an outboard surface 118. The overall length of side panels 110, asmeasured between first end 112 and second end 115, is preferably between9′A and 10½ inches, though it is contemplated that other sizes couldalso be used provided that side panels 110 are long enough so as to notinterfere with the roll of toilet paper 210 on prior art toilet paperroll holder 200 as further described below. The overall width of sidepanels 110, as measured between front panel 130 and back panel 150, ispreferably between 3½ and 4½ inches, though it is contemplated thatother sizes could also be used to accommodate user preference or aparticular toiletry product, as explained more fully below. It is alsocontemplated that the width of side panels 110 could be tapered suchthat the width is narrower near first end 112 than at second end 115.

Each of side panels 110 further comprise a continuous opening 119located near the first end 112, and extending between said inboardsurface 116 and said outboard surface 118. As best illustrated in FIG. 2and explained more fully below, opening 119 is for receipt of a toiletpaper roll holder spindle 204. Opening 119 is preferably generallycircular in shape with a diameter of between ½ and 2 inches, though itis contemplated that other shapes and/or sizes could also be employedprovided that the same are capable of accommodating spindle 204. Each ofside panels 110 also further comprise a band 190, such as a protectiveelastic band 190, attached to, or contained within, said side panel 110and encircling or surrounding said opening 119 to add additionalstrength to side panel 110 and prevent the same from failing ascontainer 100 is suspended from spindle 204. Elastic bands 190 alsopermit the container 100 to be more securely attached to prior artspindle 204, and prevent or reduce the likelihood that spindle 204 willbecome scratched or otherwise damaged.

As also best illustrated in FIG. 1, each of front panel 130 and backpanel 150 are generally rectangular in shape, and are in generallyparallel spaced apart relationship to one another and connected to, orintegrally formed with side panels 110 to form a generally rectangularbox with an opening 180 therein. Front panel 130 is further comprised ofa outboard surface 132, top portion 134 and a bottom portion 136. Theheight of front panel 130, as measured between top portion 134 andbottom portion 136 is preferably between 3½ and 4½ inches, and the widthof front panel 130, as measured between spaced apart side panels 110, ispreferably between 5½ and 6½ inches. Likewise, back panel 150 is furthercomprised of an inboard surface 152, top portion 154 and a bottomportion 156. The height of back panel 150, as measured between topportion 154 and bottom portion 156 is preferably between 3½ and 4½inches, and the width of back panel 130, as measured between spacedapart side panels 110, is preferably substantially the same as the widthof front panel 130. Notwithstanding the forgoing, it is contemplatedthat other dimensions could be used for each of front panel 130 and backpanel 150 provided that the heights of the same are sufficient to retaina toiletry product, and do not unduly interfere with the operation ofprior art toilet paper roll holder 200, as described more fully below.

As previously mentioned, container device 100 further comprises a bottom170. Bottom 170 is generally rectangular in shape and is connected to,or integrally formed with, one or more of the second ends 115 of sidepanels 110 and/or the bottom portions 136, 156 of front panel 130 andback panel 150, respectively. Stated differently, each of side panels110, front panel 130, back panel 150 and bottom 170 form a generallyrectangular box near the second end 115 of side panels 110 with anopening 180 therein for receipt of a toiletry product(s), such as freshwipes 220 or an extra roll of toilet paper 210.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thecontainer 100 of the present invention installed on an existing toiletpaper roll holder spindle 204. More specifically, toilet paper rollholder 200 is comprised of a pair of spaced apart arms 202 forsupporting spindle 204, which extends between, and is removably attachedto, each of said arms 202. The spindle 204 is further comprised of afirst end 206 and a second end 208 for engaging openings in each of saidarms 202, and supports a prior art toilet paper roll 210 which ispermitted to rotate about said spindle 204. Alternatively spindle 204 ispermitted to rotate within said arms 202. The structure and function oftoilet paper roll holder 200 and its various components are well knownin the art.

Having now described the overall structure of container 100, the use andusefulness of the same will now be summarized. A user (not shown)desiring to support additional toiletry products, such as wipes 220 oran extra toilet paper roll 210, in relatively close proximity to atoilet (not shown) would simple remove prior art spindle 204 from priorart toilet paper roll holder 200 and insert first end 206 of spindle 204into the opening 119 in the first end 112 of one side panel 110. Theuser (not shown) could then install a toilet paper roll 210 onto thebody of spindle 204 immediately adjacent the inboard surface 116 of sidepanel 110, and then insert the second end 208 of spindle 204 into theopening 119 in the first end 112 of the opposite side panel 110 suchthat toilet paper roll 210 is positioned along the body of spindle 204and between each of side panels 110. In this manner, container device100 can be suspended from a prior art toilet paper roll holder 200 asbest illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thecontainer 100 of the present invention installed on an existing toiletpaper roll holder spindle 204 and supporting a box of fresh wipes 220.More specifically, fresh wipes 220 are positioned in opening 180 andsupported by bottom 170, side panels 110, front panel 130 and back panel150. Importantly, container 100 is sized so that there is sufficientclearance between fresh wipes 220 and the rotation of a full prior arttoilet paper roll 210 about spindle 204 between side panels 210.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thecontainer 100 of the present invention installed on an existing toiletpaper roll holder spindle 204 and supporting an extra toilet paper roll210. More specifically, the extra toilet paper roll 210 is positionedwithin opening 180, and supported by bottom 170, side panels 110, frontpanel 130 and back panel 150. Importantly, container 100 is sized sothat there is sufficient clearance between the extra toilet paper roll210 and the rotation of a full prior art toilet paper roll 210 aboutspindle 204 between side panels 210.

Consequently, the various embodiments of the hammock container 100 ofthe present invention described herein are useful for storing and/ordispensing toiletry products, such as fresh wipes, toilet paper, etc. inclose proximity to a toilet. The hammock container device can beattached to an existing toilet paper roll holder and does not requireany installation tools. The container is small, compact and will easilyfold up for storage. The container is also washable and, due to theelastic nature of bands 190, capable of accommodating a wide variety ofdifferent size spindles 204. Finally, the hammock container device 100is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus,while the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof isshown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of rangesof values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitableorder unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitationon the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language inthe specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variationsof those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventorexpects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, andthe inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes allmodifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in theclaims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, anycombination of the above-described elements in all possible variationsthereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicatedherein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container capable of being suspended from atoilet paper roll spindle and comprising: a pair of spaced apart sidepanels; a front panel; a back panel; and a bottom, wherein each of saidpair of spaced apart side panels further comprise a first end with anopening therein for receipt of said toilet paper roll spindle, a secondend and a protective band around said opening.
 2. The container of claim1 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels, the front panel, theback panel and the bottom form a receptacle for receipt of a toiletryproduct.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein said toiletry product is aplurality of wet wipes or a roll of toilet paper.
 4. The container ofclaim 2 wherein said toilet paper roll spindle further comprises a rollof toilet paper thereon and further wherein the length of each of saidpair of spaced apart side panels is such that the use of said roll oftoilet paper on said spindle does not interfere with the toiletryproduct stored in said receptacle.
 5. The container of claim 1 whereinsaid protective band is comprised of an elastic material.
 6. Thecontainer of claim 1 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels andsaid bottom are integrally formed.
 7. The container of claim 1 whereinsaid pair of spaced apart side panels, the front panel, the back paneland the bottom are integrally formed.
 8. A container capable of beingsuspended from a toilet paper roll spindle and comprising: a pair ofspaced apart side panels with an opening therein, wherein each of saidopenings further comprise a protective band around the circumference ofsaid opening; a front panel; a back panel; and a bottom.
 9. Thecontainer of claim 8 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels, thefront panel, the back panel and the bottom form a receptacle for receiptof a toiletry product.
 10. The container of claim 9 wherein saidtoiletry product is a plurality of wet wipes or a roll of toilet paper.11. The container of claim 9 wherein said toilet paper roll spindlefurther comprises a roll of toilet paper thereon and further wherein thelength of each of said pair of spaced apart side panels is such that theuse of said roll of toilet paper on said spindle does not interfere withthe toiletry product stored in said receptacle.
 12. The container ofclaim 8 wherein said protective band is comprised of an elasticmaterial.
 13. The container of claim 8 wherein said pair of spaced apartside panels and said bottom are integrally formed.
 14. The container ofclaim 8 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels, the front panel,the back panel and the bottom are integrally formed.
 15. A wall mountedtoiletry product holder comprising: a pair of spaced apart arms; aspindle for supporting a roll of toilet paper positioned between andattached to said pair of spaced apart arms; a pair of spaced apart sidepanels each with an opening therein, a front panel; a back panel; and abottom.
 16. The wall mounted toiletry product holder of claim 15 whereineach of said openings further comprise a protective band around thecircumference of said opening.
 17. The wall mounted toiletry productholder of claim 15 wherein said pair of spaced apart side panels aresuspended from said spindle with a roll of toilet paper positioned alongsaid spindle between each of said pair of spaced apart side panels. 18.The wall mounted toiletry product holder of claim 15 wherein said pairof spaced apart side panels, the front panel, the back panel and thebottom form a receptacle for receipt of a second toiletry product. 19.The wall mounted toiletry product holder of claim 15 wherein said pairof spaced apart side panels and said bottom are integrally formed. 20.The wall mounted toiletry product holder of claim 15 wherein said pairof spaced apart side panels, the front panel, the back panel and thebottom are integrally formed.